Area vets given free trip to D.C.

Date: 3/17/2010

March 17, 2010.

By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SOUTH HADLEY -- A group of veterans from Holyoke, South Hadley, Northampton, Easthampton and Southampton were selected to take part in a new program that brings World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to see the World War II Memorial.

The seven men and one woman left from the South Hadley Senior Center Wednesday morning for the tour in which their hotel and flight costs were paid by Honor Flight New England. South Hadley resident and Navy vet Lionel Brindamour explained to Reminder Publications that he had seen an article in the American Legion magazine last year about Honor Flight New England, a non-profit organization that brings World War II vets to Washington.

He contacted the organization and applied for flights for vets who are part of a support group at the South Hadley Senior Center. Last fall, he received an e-mail that said the group of eight had been accepted, which was followed by a notification about a month ago about the specific date of the trip.

"It think it's a great thing," Brindamour said. "It's an honor we're being taken and recognized."

According to Honor Flight New England's Web site, the organization funds its activities through private donations and was started in 2009. The World War II vets are selected on a first come, first served basis and there is a waiting list.

Seven of the eight vets served in the Pacific Theatre and Brindamour said a group of Atlantic Theatre vets would take the trip in the future.

Anne O'Connor, the center's activities director, said the veterans' group has about 25 members and meets on the second Thursday of the month. The group attracts vets from around the area and is growing with the addition of younger vets, she explained.

"You don't have to be from South Hadley to be part of this group," she said.

Speakers on a variety of subjects appear at the group's meetings. "We try to get something different every month," she added.

Carl Mortensen of Holyoke, a Navy veteran going on the trip, described the group as "informal" and enjoys its camaraderie.

The other veterans who went include Leon Zochowski of South Hadley, Ellenor Rennell of Northampton, William Sligo of South Hadley, David Loree of Easthampton and Edward Borucki of Southampton. One vet declined to give his name.

Borucki was the only member of the group who had been to the memorial before. He had gone to the dedication of the monument.

"It's a great idea," Borucki said of the trip. "It's about time they recognized World War II vets before we all die off."

For more information on Honor Flight New England go to www.honorflightnewengland.org.